The Stettler JV team fielded great experience as they participated in the senior girls' tournament over the weekend in Camrose.
The team first played Innisfail and then Bawlf on Friday, Oct. 23, losing to both.
On Saturday morning, Oct. 24, the JV girls faced Daysland.
In the first set they showed potential with some "great volleys", although they ended in a 25-23 loss but it was a great game.
They ended up losing the second set, too as they had just "petered out", according Sheri Morbeck, JV girls coach.
"One of our strengths is that the girls do work well together, but we need to keep working in coverage and anticipating where the ball is being hit," she said.
Their last game was on Saturday against the first-place team from the other pool, Whitecourt.
"They are a great team with dynamite hitting power," said Morbeck. "Once we saw them our goal was to finish with a loss score of 25-10 or better as we knew we were in over our heads."
The JV team came close gaining nine points against this strong team.
Speaking of the performance, Morbeck said, "This was a senior girls' tournament that we entered so we knew we'd have our work cut out for us as we are a JV team, but despite the losses it was a good experience for the girls."
Morbeck continued, "As a coach, I'll take these losses if the girls are learning from them, it is not only about promoting the sport of volleyball, but I hope the girls are learning life skills like perseverance, competition, team work etc."
According to Morbeck the JV team started the season really strong.
"We started out the season so strong and now are fighting to find out mojo again," said Morbeck. "Thankfully we aren't losing because the girls aren't getting along, so that is all good, but we just can't seem to find the intensity to play a full game right now."
Part of the reason, Morbeck feels, is due to the girls' thinking too much.
"We continue to have moments of greatness but we aren't capitalizing on these moments when we need to," added Morbeck. "Are we thinking too much? Maybe. Are they putting too much pressure on themselves? Perhaps."
The JV girls play in Ponoka on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and their last home game is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2.
The girls will be in the zone playoffs on Wednesday, Nov. 4.